Leaker Says Apple's Lower-Cost MacBook Will Have These 8 Limitations

[code-m]

I get meeting a price point. But honestly one of the original “magic” parts of the Mac experience that drew me in was the backlit keyboard. In the sense that it was more thought out than things like the ThinkPad backlit keyboards.

The attention to detail of the automatic adjustments, and the gradient effect rather than just bright, brighter, brightest. It was a component that I really appreciated the clear signs of being *lovingly* implemented rather than just a feature to include in a spec sheet.

If this low cost MacBook doesn’t consider a backlit keyboard a bare minimum of the experience Mac experience I will understand, but be thoroughly disappointed. Given their entire hardware stack, this thing will be a monster upgrade in user experience for millions who have been priced out of the Mac experience in the past. It’s just sad to me that a small detail of the original “magic” I felt may be diluted out of what makes a Mac, a Mac.

Some of these magic features are things ready to break in a school setting. Students don’t need to work in lowlight conditions it’s time for those growing minds and bodies to sleep. It’s meant to be a premium rugged type of device with little to fix and break.

 

[spac3duck]

They all make sense. Internally, this is almost a low-cost iPad redesigned for a MacBook. Nobody buying this is really going to effectively use 1TB storage or 16GB of RAM.

Or… give people the option to pay for the extra 1TB or 2TB if they want to or have the money.

Very happy to have the base specs there to keep the cost absolutely as low as possible to compete with Chromebooks.

However, there are use cases for people looking to extend their ecosystem with a lightweight laptop that have significant HDD requirements ie running multiple OS, large gaming files, audio plugins, photo libraries. Ideally this would be achieved without the need for external dongles and HDDs.

 

[NT1440]

Some of these magic features are things ready to break in a school setting. Students don’t need to work in lowlight conditions it’s time for those growing minds and bodies to sleep. It’s meant to be a premium rugged type of device with little to fix and break.

Didn’t even think of that. You’re thinking Apple is approaching this as an educational product (in terms of sales revenue) rather than a splash into a previously not tapped consumer base?

 

[matthewHUB]

Backlit keyboard — if it’s going to be aimed at students in dimly lit lecture theatres, or frequent flyers, or creatives/journalists attending conferences and keynotes, this is a pretty big dealbreaker for a large target market.

 

[BeatsByTim]

Don't forget: it's an Apple laptop. Like Mercedes-Benz, this brand isn't for all budgets (and doesn't want to). There are many worthwhile, cheaper options out there.

Apple laptop laptops are OK. The problem is that all other laptops are dog water. Nobody else makes anything even approaching competitive.

 

[JPack]

Or… give people the option to pay for the extra 1TB or 2TB if they want to or have the money.

Very happy to have the base specs there to keep the cost absolutely as low as possible to compete with Chromebooks.

However, there are use cases for people looking to extend their ecosystem with a lightweight laptop that have significant HDD requirements ie running multiple OS, large gaming files, audio plugins, photo libraries. Ideally this would be achieved without the need for external dongles and HDDs.

What you've described are extreme corner cases. To put it simply, it's the wrong tool for the job.

Offering a 1TB or 2TB option isn't just plug and play. Those higher capacity NAND chips are physically larger by a couple mm which affects the logic board design. All for what? The 1 in 100,000 people who want that storage capacity?

 

[BritJason]

Purposefully going to buy the maxed out trim to keep it unopened. Might be worth $700 today, maybe $1,200 in 20 years LOL

 

[Vincent Hanna]

No 1TB or 2TB storage capacities: The leaker expects the lower-cost MacBook to be available in 256GB and 512GB storage capacities, and they mentioned a potential 128GB capacity for educational institutions. Unlike the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, the new MacBook would lack 1TB and higher storage options.

This is what jumped out at me and is consistent with my pricing projections.

Just two configurations: 16/256 for $799, and 16/512 for $999. No RAM upgrades, no build-to-order for Apple to manage, just two SKUs in four colors that they ship out "as is" to all the stores. If one color is less popular, Apple makes a little less of them until the channel equalizes.

Want a 1TB hard drive? That'll be in a $1399 MacBook Air. Just as before, no price increase.

 

[Vincent Hanna]

Or… give people the option to pay for the extra 1TB or 2TB if they want to or have the money.

Very happy to have the base specs there to keep the cost absolutely as low as possible to compete with Chromebooks.

However, there are use cases for people looking to extend their ecosystem with a lightweight laptop that have significant HDD requirements ie running multiple OS, large gaming files, audio plugins, photo libraries. Ideally this would be achieved without the need for external dongles and HDDs.

Multiple OSes? Audio plug-ins? C'mon, these are not entry-level users. These people are welcome to buy a $1399 MacBook Air with a proper M5 chip, which is the machine they should be getting anyway.

 

[savantgk3]

Or… give people the option to pay for the extra 1TB or 2TB if they want to or have the money.

Very happy to have the base specs there to keep the cost absolutely as low as possible to compete with Chromebooks.

However, there are use cases for people looking to extend their ecosystem with a lightweight laptop that have significant HDD requirements ie running multiple OS, large gaming files, audio plugins, photo libraries. Ideally this would be achieved without the need for external dongles and HDDs.

For those people the MacBook Air already exists. It is possible for a product to exist and not fulfill every use case one can conceive of for it.

 

[ClaraStahlbaum]

For me - and I already own a MacBook Pro - it’s the early rumors that this new machine will be thinner and lighter than a base MacBook Air. This base MacBook would replace a 13-inch iPad Air with Magic Keyboard, which is heavier and clunkier than you might imagine. I have realistic expectations for the new MacBook, although I’d love 12GB of RAM. But my use case for the device wouldn’t be too demanding. If one doesn’t already have an Apple laptop then a base MacBook Air would be a better overall value - especially when it was going for $749 at the holidays.

Fair point. Maybe I might end up buying one for the hell of it, it depends on the final release.

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

I'm only surprised by the "No N1 chip".
Isn't that supposed to be cheaper for Apple?

Exactly my thought.

 

[code-m]

Didn’t even think of that. You’re thinking Apple is approaching this as an educational product (in terms of sales revenue) rather than a splash into a previously not tapped consumer baThe Polycarbonate White MacBook sold rather well for students and the road warrior. I had one and it was a great laptop for its time given the competition. The one flaw was that the exterior polished case would crack if it took a rumble, if Apple would make it rubberized it may survive minor tumbles better.

Compared to present day Chromebooks and budget PC, that polycarbonate white iBook still looks premium but rugged to a point.

 

[code-m]

Imagine if this iBook/MacBook/AppleBook was a combination of metal and plastic like the iMac. Metal on the inside and polycarbonate on the outside. This way it keeps the keyboard and trackpad stable and firm while acting like a heat sink and the polycarbonate shell makes it durable and cheap to replace if it cracks. The iMac has metal and not sure if it’s glass or plastic on the chin. But this two-town is jovial and cute. Children don’t need another metal ultralight notebook if that is the case get a MacBook Air.

Cost of this thing will probably be around the $599-799 range similar to the pricing strategy of iPad then iPad Air and iPad Pro. MacBook, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro.

 

[Mainsail]

For me, the MBA is the sweet spot. The base M4 MBA (16/256) has been on sale for as low as $750. That's a great deal. My base 2022 M2 MBA (8/256) is still smooth as butter on the latest version of Tahoe, so I should easily get 5 years out of it...with a decent trade-in value. It's just a great everyday computer for office work, productivity apps, college, and home use.

 

[code-m]

For me, the MBA is the sweet spot. The base M4 MBA (16/256) has been on sale for as low as $750. That's a great deal. My base 2022 M2 MBA (8/256) is still smooth as butter on the latest version of Tahoe, so I should easily get 5 years out of it...with a decent trade-in value. It's just a great everyday computer for office work, productivity apps, college, and home use.

Accident prone children don’t need metal laptops. The A series chip is cool enough to run in a polycarbonate or combination metal case. Metal dents, nicks, scratches, etc

 

[JohnC1959]

The only limitation I think could be an issue is the lack of a backlit keyboard. Most of the other limitations don't stop light usage such as web browsing, email, simple photo editing, etc.. But I can easily see such a casual user using it in a poorly lit room.

For those posting here that say no thanks to this new model, that's expected. Almost none of you are the target audience and they have other models to choose from.

 

[Jacoblee23]

This is wild considering around Black Friday the MacBook Air can be purchased for just $750.

 

[JohnC1959]

This is wild considering around Black Friday the MacBook Air can be purchased for just $750.

Just think how low the price of this new model will be a year or so later when it gets it's Black Friday sale.

 

[platinumaqua]

out of the entire list, the only things that give me pause are no 1tb and no backlit keyboard. The rest I can live with

 

[Neepman]

I can't believe all the whiners here that are expecting a Lambo at a Kia price point.

 

[slvrscoobie]

I can live with all of those. Can't wait for the announcement. (lighted keyboard would be nice though)

right? Im thinking 'good, good, Fine, no problem... I dont see an issue.. I want a replacement for my 2017 MB retina. my 16" and 14" can do the heavy lifting, I want thin and light with tons of battery life, with macOS for travel.

 

[Apple_Robert]

A no named leaker from China’s Weibo making claims? I’d trust gas station sushi before the no named leakers claims…

Given the choices, I would have to go with the leaker. At least that way, I don't end up in the ER praying for a medically induced coma to relive the internal quagmire.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I can't believe all the whiners here that are expecting a Lambo at a Kia price point.

Typical MR rhetoric. I bet if we did a poll, the complainers would be mainly MBP snobs who have convinced themselves, that they have to have 24GB of RAM just to wake up in the morning and peruse MR.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Backlit keyboard — if it’s going to be aimed at students in dimly lit lecture theatres, or frequent flyers, or creatives/journalists attending conferences and keynotes, this is a pretty big dealbreaker for a large target market.

I would think a lot of people should already have the keyboard memorized.